Semua Bab The Mafia King's Collateral : Bab 171 - Bab 180

Nikolai’s POVThe private massage suite was warm and dimly lit, the air carrying a soft blend of sandalwood, citrus, and something floral I couldn’t name. Two wide treatment tables sat side by side, separated by only a small gap, each covered in crisp white linens and a light blanket. Soft instrumental music played at a low volume, and the faint sound of water trickling from a small wall feature added to the quiet atmosphere.Liora stood close to me, her fingers still loosely linked with mine as the two female therapists gave us a moment of privacy to change. I helped her out of her sundress with slow, careful hands, pressing a brief kiss to her bare shoulder before she slipped under the sheet on her table. I did the same on the table beside hers, lying on my stomach first as instructed. The gap between us was small enough that if I stretched my arm out, I could easily reach her.The therapists returned and began working in near silence. Warm oil was poured onto my back, followed

Liora’s POVThe sky had already begun to soften into shades of gold and pale pink by the time Nikolai led me outside. A single, sturdy bicycle waited near the edge of the path - clearly arranged in advance. It was built for two in the sense that there was space for me to sit behind him, a small cushioned seat and a metal bar I could hold onto. The sight of it made me glance up at him with a mix of surprise and quiet delight.“You’re serious,” I said, unable to hide the smile in my voice.“I am.” He swung one leg over the bike and settled onto the main seat, then looked back at me, holding out a hand. “Come here.”I hesitated only for a second before placing my hand in his. He steadied the bike as I climbed on behind him, carefully settling onto the rear seat. The moment I was secure, I wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing myself against his broad back. He felt warm and solid under my hands. When he started pedaling, the sudden movement made me tighten my hold instinctively.“I

Nikolai’s POVThe viewpoint opened up in front of us like a quiet reward after the climb. The land fell away in a wide, natural slope, giving an unbroken view of the coastline and the ocean stretching far into the horizon. The late morning sun sat high enough to make the water glitter, but a steady breeze kept the air cool. I watched Liora’s face as she took it in - the soft way her eyes widened, the small, almost disbelieving smile that pulled at her lips. That expression alone made the entire hike worth it.I stepped up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist, drawing her back against my chest. She leaned into me immediately, her hands resting over mine.“This is beautiful,” she said quietly.“It is.” I rested my chin on her shoulder, looking out at the same view she was. “I wanted you to see it with me.”We stood like that for a long while, not speaking, just breathing in the open air and the silence that only existed this far from everything else. Eventually I guided h

Nikolai’s POV The path I led her down was quiet and deliberately unlit, winding away from the main buildings of the resort until even the softest outdoor lights faded behind us. When we finally stepped into the small clearing I had arranged, the sky opened above us completely. No trees blocked the view. No artificial light competed with the stars. A wide daybed had been placed in the center, layered with thick blankets and a few cushions, positioned so that whoever lay on it would have an unbroken view of the night sky. Liora slowed beside me, her hand still in mine. I watched her face as she tilted her head back and took in the stretch of stars overhead - dense, clear, and sharper than they ever looked in the city. “This is incredible,” she said softly. “I wanted somewhere with no interruptions.” I guided her forward. “Just us.” I sat first on the edge of the daybed, then drew her down with me so she was settled between my legs, her back against my chest. Once she was comfor

Nikolai’s POVThe first light of morning slipped into the suite in thin golden lines, soft enough that it didn’t fully pull me from sleep right away. I became aware of it gradually - the warmth of the room, the steady sound of the ocean beyond the balcony, and most of all the weight of Liora’s body against mine. She was still deeply asleep, one of her legs tangled with mine, her face tucked into the space between my shoulder and neck. Her breath brushed against my skin in slow, even intervals.For a long time I simply stayed still and watched her.Her features were completely relaxed in sleep. The usual softness she carried when she was awake was even more pronounced now - lips slightly parted, lashes resting against her cheeks, one of her hands curled loosely against my chest. I could still see faint traces of the night before on her skin, and the memory of how she had looked beneath me, open and trusting, settled warmly in my chest. I reached up and carefully brushed a strand of